Police Seek Help in Laurel Double Homicide

Police continue their search for suspects and a motive in the May 2 slaying of a man and woman inside a South Laurel apartment, possibly as the woman’s disabled daughter slept nearby.

The bodies were found in the Montpelier Crossing apartment complex in the 9600 block of Muirkirk Road in South Laure about 8:15 a.m. Police said they found James Vell Ferguson, 42, and Tina Towler, 45, dead inside the apartment. Also inside, but unharmed, was Towler’s 25-year-old daughter, a paraplegic who suffers from cerebral palsy. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, but had not been injured.

The call to police came from a nurse who routinely cares for Towler’s daughter. After knocking several times, but getting no answer, the nurse entered the apartment through a sliding door and found Ferguson and Towler lying in bed, unconscious, with what appeared to be severe trauma to the upper body.

Police are asking anyone with information on the case to come forward.

Neighbors reported hearing arguments coming from the apartment around 5 a.m. that morning. A police spokeswoman said officers have been called to the apartment three times this year: twice in February for a missing person’s report and again on March 30 when someone dialed 9-11 but abruptly hung up.

Charles Collins, who lives in the same complex, remembered Ferguson and Towler as “friendly” people.

"I just don't understand why anyone would want to kill him," said Collins of Ferguson.

Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of suspects in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Prince George County police at 301-772-4925.